Heading out on a trip with children can be an exciting adventure, but long hours on the road or in the air can sometimes lead to boredom and restlessness. Keeping little ones entertained during travel is a common challenge that many parents face.
Enter the magical solution: travel games for kids!
I’m here to share all my favorite travel games for kids to help you peacefully navigate long travel days!
Some games require materials such as a doodle board or gameboard, while others don’t. None of the games on this list need a table to be played, so they can be enjoyed in the car or on an airplane!
- An audiobook player like a Yoto player can be another great way to pass the hours.
It can be helpful to sit down with your kids and make a list of games before heading out on a trip. This list becomes a life-saving reference sheet when the trip feels long.
Whether you’re navigating the highways or flying high in the sky, these travel games will transform your journey into an enjoyable and memorable experience for the whole family.
- Looking for other travel essentials for kids? Check out my favorite airport car seat rollers and ride-on carry-on bags!
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Best Travel Games for Kids
1. I Spy
It is a classic game where one player describes an object they see, and others guess what it is. It’s simple and can be played by kids of all ages.
- Materials: none
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Age: all ages
2. License Plate Game
Players try to spot license plates from as many different states or countries as possible. This game is excellent for longer trips and surprisingly engaging for kids.
I find that this game works best when played with a printable that allows kids to check off or tally the license plates they see. Add a clipboard and pen, and you’re all set!
- Materials: license plate printable, clipboard, marker
- Where it can be played: in the car
- Ages: 7+ (works best with kids who know how to read)
3. Storytelling Game
Someone starts a story with a sentence, and each person takes turns adding to it. This game fosters creativity and can lead to some hilarious stories.
- Materials: none
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: all ages
4. Tic-Tac-Toe
This easy-to-play classic game is a fast kid favorite that can help the travel time fly by. Kids love to play again and again.
I have found it easiest for kids to play on the go using a magnetic tic-tac-toe set or a doodle board.
- Materials: tic tac toe set or doodle board
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: all ages
5. 20 Questions
One person thinks of an object, and the others ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. This activity is good for developing reasoning and questioning skills.
- Materials: none
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 5+
6. Melissa and Doug Memory Game
This Melissa and Doug memory game is a kid favorite and super easy to use when traveling! It has 7 double-sided cards that can be switched out for lots of variation.
- Materials: Melissa and Doug Memory Game
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 4 to 7
7. Travel Bingo/Scavenger Hunt
Create or buy bingo cards with items to spot on the road, like different types of vehicles, animals, or road signs. The first to spot a row of items wins.
The same bingo cards can also be used for a scavenger hunt if kids want to play solo or extend the game.
These are my favorite road trip bingo cards for kids! They are easy to use and offer lots of variety.
- Materials: bingo cards
- Where it can be played: in the car
- Ages: all ages
8. Would You Rather…?
Players ask each other “Would you rather…?” questions, choosing between two scenarios. It can be silly or serious and helps kids articulate preferences and reasoning.
Kids can come up with their own questions in the moment, or you can use a list of questions to get the game going.
Here’s a fun book of “Would you rather… ” questions for kids ages 8+.
- Materials: none (you can use prewritten questions if you would like)
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 4+
9. The Picnic Game
This memory-based alphabet game starts with someone saying, “I’m going to a picnic, and I’m bringing…” followed by an item that begins with the letter A. The following person repeats the previous items and adds something that starts with B, and so on.
Kids can add a motion to each item to help give clues to others as they go along.
- Materials: none
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 7+
10. Map Tracking
Give the kids a map and have them track the journey. They can mark off landmarks, cities, or towns as they pass them, teaching them to read a map and understand geography.
Kids love having a map that’s all their own, and looking back on the route after the trip is fun.
![National Geographic Road Atlas 2024: Adventure Edition [United States, Canada, Mexico]](https://kidswhoplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/51So3-cTqKL._SL500_.webp)
This is my favorite road atlas.
- Materials: paper map
- Where it can be played: in the car
- Ages: 7+
11. Animal Name Game
One person names an animal, and the next person has to name another animal that starts with the last letter of the previous animal—for example, horse, eel, lion, newt, turtle, etc.
- Materials: none
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 6+ (younger ages can play with some help from older kids)
12. Hangman
Hangman is an ideal travel game for kids. One player thinks of a word, and the others guess it letter by letter, drawing a figure for each incorrect guess.
It’s simple, requires nothing more than a magnetic hangman set or doodle board, and can be endlessly entertaining on long journeys.
- Materials: magnetic hangman game or doodle board
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 6+
13. Magnetic Checkers
Magnetic checkers combine the traditional game with magnets, ensuring pieces stay in place during travel or movement.
I love that the Purple Cow magnetic checkers game is played right in the tin, making it easy to keep track of the pieces.
- Materials: magnetic checkers set
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 4+
14. Puzzle Books
Sudoku, crosswords, word searches, or maze puzzles can keep kids engaged for hours. Choose age-appropriate puzzle books to challenge and engage them.
This can be the perfect quiet activity when kids would like to do something on their own. Kids often enjoy getting to pick their own activity book before the trip starts.
For ages 5-7
For ages 7-10
For ages 8-12
- Materials: puzzle book
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: depends on the book
15. Rubix Cube
The Rubik’s Cube is a neat little game for trips. It keeps both kids and grown-ups hooked on twisting and turning to match the colors. It’s a great way to make time fly by in the car or plane as kids tackle each side of the puzzle.
It works best as a travel game for kids who have not yet learned how to solve it quickly.
- Materials: Rubix cube
- Where it can be played: anywhere
- Ages: 8+
Final Thoughts
Travel games for kids are a lifesaver for anyone hitting the road with little ones. They’re not just about killing time but about making those long hours part of the adventure.
From laughing over silly guesses in “I Spy” to getting competitive with license plate bingo, there’s a game out there for every kid (and adult, let’s be honest).
So, before you head out on your next family trip, throw a few of these game ideas into your travel bag. They’ll keep the groans at bay and turn “Are we there yet?” into “Let’s go again!”
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